One of Greenwood’s most popular annual events has been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Freedom Festival, which regularly draws more than 60,000 people, will not be held this year out of caution to help mitigate and slow the spread of the coronavirus, city officials said Wednesday. The event, which features a full day of music, food, a parade and a fireworks spectacular, was scheduled to take place June 27.
“This was a very difficult decision, but we must prioritize the health and safety of citizens,” Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said in a statement. “Given the current uncertainty regarding public and social activity, as well as the continued negative impact of COVID-19, we were left with no other choice. Postponement was discussed, but unfortunately, that route is not feasible.”
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As Gov. Eric Holcomb unveiled a plan to gradually reopen businesses, public spaces and other aspects of the community, Greenwood officials also announced updates to events and public recreation facilities on Wednesday. The updates follow the current guidelines issued by the state, and could be subject to change as new information and potential future restrictions on social gatherings are announced, city officials said.
Facilities such as playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, pickleball courts, skate parks and softball diamonds are scheduled to reopen May 24.
The Greenwood Community Center is slated to open the same day, though for members only. Capacity will be limited to 100 people, and people can only access the facility at the front entry. Fitness equipment has been spread out and allocated following social distancing guidelines, and basketball courts can be used for shoot-around only — no games will be allowed, and visitors must bring their own ball.
Locker rooms and showers will be closed, and drinking fountains will not be available, though the bottle filler stations will be operating.
Kid City, the facility’s indoor play zone for children, will remain closed until at least July 6.
Other events and activities have been altered. Mud Day, which had been scheduled for June 5, is canceled. City Center Park splash pad will open June 15. Freedom Springs Aquatic Center is scheduled to open on June 15 for members only, with occupancy limited to 50%.
City officials have canceled the aquatic center’s June 19 Adult Night, but similar Adult Nights on July 24 and Aug. 14 will go on as scheduled. The July 9 Family Fun Night is also planned as scheduled.
People hoping to rent a shelter house can start doing so beginning June 15. Rentals exceeding an occupancy of 250 people will be allowed starting July 4.
Summer Camp, which was originally planned to start on May 26, is now scheduled to start on June 15. Officials said this may change depending on decisions regarding local schools. Registration for fall Before/After-School Care begins June 15, though the timing and implementation of the program will depend on decisions regarding local schools.
For those missing live music during the pandemic, the summer concert series will begin July 11, and may be extended through August and September to accommodate additional concerts.
Private events, such as runs, walks and block parties, will continue to be prohibited.
“This is a fluid situation and we will continue to monitor it closely, including guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, along with state and county health departments,” Myers said in the statement. “We understand the disappointment and inconvenience these decisions may cause, but we believe the potential risks of inaction are too great to ignore.”
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The City of Greenwood announced updates for events and public recreation facilities. All dates are based upon current guidelines issued by the state and subject to change given new information and potential future restrictions on social gatherings.
Playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, pickleball courts, skate parks and softball diamonds scheduled to open May 24
Greenwood Community Center opening scheduled for May 24 for members only
- Maximum capacity – 100 people
- Kid City remains closed until at least July 6
- Access limited to front entry
- Fitness equipment allocated per social distancing guidelines
- No adult/youth programs
- Drinking fountains not in use, bottle fillers only
- Locker rooms and showers closed
- Courts open for shoot around only; no game play allowed; visitors must bring their own ball
Freedom Springs Aquatic Center opening scheduled for June 15 for members only; per state and CDC guidelines, permitted occupancy will be 50%
City Center Park splash pad scheduled to open June 15
Shelter house rental scheduling is open for bookings beginning June 15; rentals exceeding an occupancy of 250 allowed beginning July 4
Summer Camp, which was originally planned to start on May 26, is now scheduled to start on June 15; this may change depending on decisions regarding local schools
Registration for fall Before/After-School Care begins June 15; timing and implementation of the program will depend on decisions regarding local schools
Summer Concert Series will begin July 11; the series may be extended through August and September to accommodate additional concerts
Private events (runs, walks, block parties, etc.) continue to be prohibited
Events
- June 5: Mud Day – canceled
- June 19: Adult Night – canceled
- July 9 Family Fun Night – planned as scheduled
- July 24 Adult Night – planned as scheduled
- August 14 Adult Night – planned as scheduled
More information: greenwood.in.gov
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